Top Jamaican athletes to compete in the 2019 World Relays in Yokohama

There has been strong interest from Jamaica’s elite athletes in competing at the 2019 World Relays set for Yokohama, Japan on May 12 and 13.

JAAA President Dr Warren Blake made the revelation during the launch of the 2019 ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships set for the National Stadium in Kingston from March 26-30.

Dr Blake said the JAAA reached out to prospective candidates and so far, the response has been encouraging.

“Quite a few coaches have responded, and some of our top athletes have also responded, not just for the World Relays but for the Penn Relays as well,” Dr Blake said. “The selection committee will be meeting soon to decide which of these athletes they will select.”

The Penn Relays will be held at Franklin Field in Philadelphia from April 25-27. Each year, the Penn Relays attracts a large Jamaican audience who attend to watch Jamaican high schools and colleges compete against some of the best schools in the United States.

The 2019 World Relays will feature new relays.

There will be a mixed 2x2x400m relay and mixed shuttle hurdles relay that will be added to the usual line up of women’s 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m and the mixed 4x400m.